2013 forecast: After bridge season collapse, repairs under way

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Tom Coughlin (AP)

Editor's note: With offseason work across the league coming to an end, the focus shifts to the steamy summer workouts ahead. To get you fully primed for the preseason and beyond, Sporting News provides in-depth looks at all 32 teams leading into training camp. Today: New York Giants. Prediction: First, NFC East. Up next: Dallas Cowboys.

The Giants of 2011 leaned on their "Finish" mantra all the way to another Super Bowl victory, but in 2012 the "Build A Bridge'' theme devised by coach Tom Coughlin crumbled, as New York went 3-5 in the second half to miss the playoffs.

The traditionally rugged defense became ragged and, as a result, there will likely be three new starting linebackers and some new faces on the interior of the defensive line in 2013. Quarterback Eli Manning, missing a healthy Hakeem Nicks in 2012, is looking to rebound from a so-so season that was sprinkled with some truly dreadful outings.

Still, there's enough firepower to improve on the 26.8-point average of last season — as long as the offensive line does not continue to show wear and tear. The release of several players with Super Bowl pedigrees gives this the feel of a transition year, which, of course, is not the same as a rebuilding season.

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Early in his rookie season, Wilson found himself in coach Tom Coughlin's doghouse after a first-game fumble, but he gradually earned trust and playing time. Now he's in line to start with the release of Ahmad Bradshaw and the 2012 first-round pick is eager to prove he can run between the tackles.

"I think Tuck's got another year to prove himself, to see if he can bounce back. I'm not so sure he's going be able to. I just don't see the same player. I don't know if it's just an age thing. I don't see the same hunger, the way he used to get after the quarterback. I see him as a good guy to play the end, stop the run. I don't think his pass-rush skills are what they used to be. I'd be leaning towards surprised if he had a great year. If he had like an average, so-so year, I could see that. I don't think he'll be a total detriment, but I just wonder if his days are a little bit behind him."

INSIDE THE HEADSET

Coughlin is not a gambler as far as calling for onside kicks or fake punts, and he usually prefers to pin an opponent with a punt rather than risk going for it on fourth down. He does, however, have great confidence in QB Eli Manning's decision-making. Trickery, though, is not a big part of Coughlin's thinking.

"They're following the old Patriots way: Don't sign anybody big and get these one-year guys. A lot of them have something to prove, a lot of them would like to have another big contract, a lot of them will contribute. Are they better than last year? I think they would be a little bit better.

I like Cullen Jenkins. I think that's a good signing. He's a tough guy—they really need him in the middle. I like Brandon Myers; he had one year, last year was his breakout year, caught a lot of passes for a crappy team. I think he's going to be valuable to Eli Manning. He's a good receiver, not much of a blocker, and I think he's a first-down blocker. He's not as athletic as Martellus Bennett, but he has real good hands, though he's not going to wow you with yards after the catch. But he's gonna catch a lot of balls. ...

"David Wilson is gonna be good. The kid has shown what he can do. You also have Andre Brown to do some of the hard, heavy lifting. I think Wilson could have a huge year."

The Giants run an offense based on Coughlin's desire for balance and are more than willing to take shots down the field. Play-caller and coordinator Kevin Gilbride puts great faith in Manning and great trust in his receivers to make sight adjustments designed to create big plays down the field. In good times and bad, Gilbride finds ways for this attack to rank among the league leaders in points scored. Coughlin is aware that football in the Northeast means his team must be able to run the ball, but often the Giants prefer to establish the pass in order to set up the run.

Quarterbacks:Eli Manning was considered to be an MVP candidate in the first month of the 2012 season, picking up where he left off down the stretch of the 2011 Super Bowl campaign. However, he tailed off and endured a stretch that, statistically, was as ineffective as his 2004 rookie year. Manning again made every start and never came off the field, but his touchdown-to-interception ratio of 26/15 was nothing special and, for the first time since 2007, he failed to complete 60 percent of his passes. He also missed 4,000 passing yards for the first time since 2008.

The big plays Manning was always able to deliver were few and far between in 2012, although he was able to avoid sacks (he was dropped only 19 times). Manning remains a steady leader and is rarely confused on the field, as he's able to decipher most opposing defenses and get the match-ups he wants. At times, he looked lost without a healthy Nicks to throw to, and he remained a pocket passer who refrains from scrambling or even keeping the ball on QB sneaks.

Carr

By trading up in the draft to take Ryan Nassib of Syracuse, the once-certain job security of veteran backup David Carr is now challenged, as Coughlin prefers to keep only two quarterbacks on the roster whenever possible. GRADE: A

Running backs: Wilson endured a down-and-up rookie season, spending the early portion of his first NFL campaign in Coughlin's doghouse after fumbling in his Giants debut. It is Wilson's ball now, though, as starter and leading rusher Ahmad Bradshaw, a staple in the Giants backfield since 2007, was not re-signed.

Brown

Wilson, a first-round draft pick, had to wait his turn and had only 71 rushing attempts in his first year, averaging five yards per carry for his 358 yards. He is a speedster with an ankle-breaking ability to change direction, but he must prove that he is more than just a threat to the outside. He is not big and must show he can get the hard yards between the tackles, a trait that Andre Brown displayed last season before breaking his leg.

In his second stint with the Giants, Brown had 73 rushes for 385 yards (5.3-yard average) and did his best work near the goal line with eight rushing touchdowns. Brown has had difficulty staying healthy, but if he is, the Giants view him as the thumper in the backfield who can complement Wilson's speed.

There's not much behind them, as fullback Henry Hynoski almost never gets the ball other than the occasional pass coming out of the backfield. Hynoski had offseason knee surgery and until he returns, tight end Bear Pascoe must fill in at fullback. Wilson is not a natural in the passing game and Brown has limited experience in that aspect of the offense. GRADE: B-

Nicks

Receivers: The success of this unit hinges on the return to health of Hakeem Nicks, who battled foot and knee issues throughout the 2012 season and, as a result, was way down in production (53 catches, 692 yards, 3 TDs). Nicks missed four games and had no explosion when he did manage to get on the field, allowing too much defensive attention to be paid to Victor Cruz, who was able to put up fine numbers (86, 1,092, 10) despite being targeted as the player to stop.

After missing all of the team's offseason program, Cruz signed his restricted free agent tender on Friday. He still wants a long-term contract, but now he's contractually obligated to show up at training camp.

When healthy, the Nicks-Cruz duo is hard to contain and both are capable or breaking open a game. Third receiver Rueben Randle (19, 298, 3) showed good development as a rookie and will be counted on much more heavily now, especially with the loss in free agency of Domenik Hixon. Randle can go up and get the ball but must show more urgency and consistency.

Tight end Martellus Bennett caught 55 passes in his one and only season with the Giants before signing with the Bears, but the free-agent acquisition of former Raider Brandon Myers figures to be a step forward for the passing game, as Myers hauled in 79 passes in 2012. The coaching staff has been waiting for 2011 third-round pick Jerrel Jernigan to prove his worth as the backup but, if he's not impressive this summer, Jernigan could be replaced by Louis Murphy, who adds speed. Murphy signed after catching 25 passes last season for the Panthers. GRADE: B+

Line: The gang is almost all here. The Giants made the re-signing of left tackle Will Beatty a priority and got him locked up before the start of free agency.

Snee

They also re-signed left guard Kevin Boothe to bring the left side back intact, joining center David Baas and right guard Chris Snee, who is coming off offseason hip surgery. The only starting spot up for grabs is right tackle, where David Diehl returns after coming off knee surgery. Diehl lost his starting job in 2012 to Sean Locklear, who played well before tearing his ACL. The drafting of Justin Pugh (Syracuse) in the first round means a changing of the guard could be coming at right tackle, as Pugh is considered to be a fine technician and is expected to be able to supplant Diehl.

This was a group that kept Manning well protected in 2012, as he was sacked only 19 times. The run blocking was also improved over the 2011 Super Bowl season. The key is Beatty's continued development, as the Giants are clearly committed to him based on his five-year, $38.75 million contract. Age is starting to creep into the line, with Diehl and Snee, who has hinted that this might be his final season. Overall, this is not a dominating group, but it is a smart unit that relies on chemistry. GRADE: B

Coordinator Perry Fewell wants to get pressure up front without a heavy dose of blitzing, which puts great pressure on the four-man line to collapse the pocket without help. It didn't work in 2012, as the Giants set a franchise record for yards allowed and finished 31st in the league in total defense.

The Giants use a standard 4-3, but often Fewell puts three safeties on the field, removing a linebacker to provide greater coverage ability. The entire operation is based on having a defensive end rotation that can get to the quarterback. It was a system that worked great in 2011 but broke down last season.

Line: This is where the Giants used to hang their hats, but this unit slumped badly in 2012, leading to a complete defensive malaise. The system is predicated on getting pressure on the opposing quarterback without heavy blitzing, but that approach broke down a year ago.

Pierre-Paul

End Justin Tuck managed just four sacks and must fight off the growing feeling that he's on the downside of his career. End Jason Pierre-Paul had a 10-sack drop-off from his breakout, 16.5-sack 2011 campaign: he experienced what life is like on the field as a marked man last season. Pierre-Paul played last season despite a back problem that eventually required surgery to remove a herniated disk, and it will be touch and go as far as his availability for the opener. That means Mathias Kiwanuka, already moved from linebacker to his natural end spot. moves in as a a starter. End Osi Umenyiora, formerly the Giants' longest-tenured defensive player, is gone, having signed with the Falcons. Third-round pick Damontre Moore is a skilled pass rusher and might find his way onto the field.

For the first time in years, there is legitimate concern that the Giants do not have enough firepower in the pass-rush department. A complete breakdown in the ability to stop the run in 2012 led to the desire to change up the interior of the line. Tackle Chris Canty was released, and the Giants signed former Eagle Cullen Jenkins, who looked solid in the spring and will become an immediate starter as the Giants seek to upgrade their run defense. Jenkins joins returning Linval Joseph and youngsters Marvin Austin and Markus Kuhn, plus massive Shaun Rogers, re-signed after missing all of last season. GRADE: B+

Linebackers: There will be some new faces on the scene in 2013 with the release of Michael Boley and the departure of Chase Blackburn, meaning two new starters are needed here. The Giants signed former Panther and Cowboy Dan Connor to fill Blackburn's spot at middle linebacker, believing Connor is a younger and slightly more athletic upgrade. Connor might not be able to supplant Mark Herzlich, who was not impressive in limited action in 2012 but looks to have made a big leap forward this year.

Rivers

A key will be if Keith Rivers can stay healthy and on the field on the strong side, as he arrived last year from Cincinnati with a history of injury problems and that reputation continued with the Giants. Rivers is athletic enough to handle the job but has durability issues.

Boley's spot on the weak side will likely be filled by Jacquian Williams, who is entering his third year. Williams is extremely fast and can run like a deer, but he doesn't have much bulk and has been nicked up at times. He can cover, though, and run with tight ends. Spencer Paysinger, another third-year player, is one more option and he, too, can run.

This is an uncertain position for the Giants, which is why they took a flier on Aaron Curry, the former Seahawks and Raiders linebacker, to see if he has anything left in the tank. GRADE: C+

Secondary: This was a sub-par area for New York in 2012, with veteran cornerback Corey Webster enduring an extremely inconsistent season and veteran safety Kenny Phillips missing time with lingering knee issues. Webster returns (but with a pay cut), while Phillips signed with the Eagles in free agency.

Brown

Stevie Brown, who shocked the Giants by hauling in eight interceptions in 2012, moves into Phillips' strong safety spot alongside versatile free safety Antrel Rolle. Brown turned into a huge playmaker last season, but at times was out of position in coverage. Webster returns alongside cornerback Prince Amukamara, who in his first season as an NFL starter showed signs why he was a first-round draft pick. Amukamara must continue his development, while second-year Jayron Hosley, who struggled as a rookie, must prove he deserves to be on the field as one of the top three cornerbacks.

Fewell likes to use three safeties on the field at one time, putting the onus on impressive talent Will Hill to take a quantum leap forward. The entire secondary unit needs Webster to return to form. He started on two Super Bowl-winning defenses but was a liability in 2012. GRADE: C+

Playoff hero Lawrence Tynes, who hit two overtime field goals to send the Giants to the Super Bowl two years ago, was not re-signed and replaced by another veteran kicker, Josh Brown. The Giants are looking to gain a few extra yards on longer field-goal makes.

Punter Steve Weatherford returns after an excellent season and is an impressive athlete who is becoming a directional kicking force.

The return game was sparked in 2012 by Wilson, who averaged 26.9 yards on his 57 kickoff returns. GRADE: B-

The Giants hope the dip in offensive production is solved by a return to health of Nicks and that Wilson, in his second season, provides big plays with his legs. They also hope they have fortified a shabby run defense with three key free-agent additions.

The Giants firmly believe they are Super Bowl contenders as long as Manning is in his prime.